Release date: August 1st 2026
Label:Independent
What Skyrider offer here is a heavy, slow burning journey, built around a metallic sonic architecture reminiscent of Dio era Black Sabbath. Dragging chord progressions unfold beneath layers of synthesizers, breathing through carefully placed pauses and allowing the guitars and drums to flood the space with a powerful, resonant vibration.
Review
“Traveller of Starlit Skies” carries that unmistakable eighties sense of epic storytelling. The guitars gradually shape an atmospheric yet thoroughly metallic soundscape, leaving room for functional but effective bass lines to emerge. Nicolas Peter, who also handles the drums, attacks the upper and middle registers with confidence, using an effective vibrato technique to stretch and sustain his vocal phrases. His excellent control and modulation immediately draw the listener into this dreamlike, fantastical world.
The opening track allows itself plenty of freedom, moving from slow, dramatic progressions into sharper and faster passages. The drumming consistently favours a classic approach, with no double bass work involved, instead relying on rapid fills during transitions and carrying the various rhythmic charges with confidence and energy. The guitar solo serves its ornamental purpose perfectly, neither overstated nor anonymous, enhancing the melody without overshadowing it.
“Riding On The Waves Of Time” works as the counterpart to the previous track. Where the opener was slower and more majestic, this one is more dynamic, driven by an introductory guitar solo and spiralling closing riffs that inject additional momentum into the composition. The keyboards are also more prominent and audible throughout. If the first track leaned more heavily into atmosphere, this one is decidedly more rock and roll: direct, forceful and energetic, with greater speed and impact, yet without abandoning those brief pauses that create small suites within the track itself. Deep bass lines and crunchy guitars weave arpeggios before giving way to another solo, this time introspective and melancholic, built around bluesy scales and an excellent sense of melody.
And when a song is called “Cloud Cathedral“, it would almost be impossible for it not to begin with bells and thunder. Here, the record shifts its axis towards a far more doom laden composition, featuring a section of clean arpeggios built around tritones. It recalls the funereal weight of Saint Vitus and Candlemass, while some of its heavier, slower riffs evoke the best moments of Metallica’s nineties era, particularly Load and Reload. Its compositional development also bears a strong resemblance to the more elaborate structures associated with Mercyful Fate. The vocals reach their intended notes with assurance and precise intonation, further underlining the quality of Peter’s performance.
We finally reach the end of this short journey with a track that strongly recalls the spirit of Deep Purple’s Child in Time, although it is actually a cover of the magnificent “Rainbow Demon” by Uriah Heep. The majestic Hammond style keyboards are all there, as is the martial rhythm section steadily marching towards choruses delivered with power and conviction. Sustained power chords move across the fretboard, adding chromatic movement to the melody and reinforcing the track’s grand, theatrical character.
An excellent choice to close this showcase of Skyrider’s influences and offer a glimpse of what the band may have in store for the future.
Conclusion
There are only four tracks here, amounting to just over twenty minutes of music. That makes a definitive verdict difficult, but these three original compositions and the cover provide a clear indication of where Skyrider may be heading. The influence of the seventies and eighties sound of the bands already mentioned is explicit, and the group appears entirely comfortable operating within that territory, delivering a traditional sound backed by strong production values.
The heavy atmospheres and epic vocal lines suggest that we may eventually be looking at a conceptual or narrative full length, one capable of exploring the imagery of fantastical and darker worlds in the tradition of writers such as R. A. Salvatore or Michael Moorcock. The production is excellent, and while there is always room for refinement, it would be interesting to hear the bass given a slightly more prominent role in future compositions, along with some more unrestrained and adventurous solo sections.
All in all, this is an excellent debut, and we can only wish Skyrider the very best as they continue this journey.
TheNwothm Score: 8.5/10
Links
Bandcamp: https://skyriderrocks.bandcamp.com/track/traveller-of-starlit-skies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyriderrocks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyriderrocks/
Label:Independent
